The no-smoking rule has been greeted with mixed feelings by local licensees.

Although the majority of our county-wide sample' seems to have seen no change, one or two people are unhappy publicans.

Sheelen Keeley who, with Richard Kerr, runs Haverfordwest's Fishguard Arms, said her lunchtime drinking and restaurant trade were both definitely affected.

"We are lucky because we have a restaurant and a patio, but our Monday trade was badly hit," she said, "We feel the public as well as the publicans have been treated very badly.

"They allow smoking in the Houses of Parliament. but we have no freedom of speech or action any more. We just have to do what we're told. There should have been a vote and pubs should have had the choice to be smokers or non-smokers.

"It should have been 50/50, but it's a Big Brother state now."

Others saw no change, although the beautiful spring weather helped and things may be different in the rain and wind.

Bernie Hutchings at The Kings Arms on Hakin Point, said customers were enjoying the sunshine on the patio on Monday, but it was too early to judge as she did not open until three. "The winter will be the test, when the weather is bad," she added.

Steve Davies of the Bull Inn, Prendergast, said his regular trade had not been affected and there had been no problems. I am lucky to have a beer garden, but I feel sorry for those who have no outside facilities."

One such inn is The Bridgend at Haverfordwest where landlord Burt Paterson said, tongue-in cheek: "I send them over to the multi-storey carpark if they want to smoke.

"It's been wonderful. It means my customers have more money to spend on the important things in life, like drinking. We have had a couple of grumpy old men, but they come in here to enjoy being grumpy anyway."

Manager Sean Davies at Cromwell's Tavern in Pembroke was equally upbeat. "I've had no agitated customers. Trade has been just about the same. Everybody seems to have accepted the ban."